UPDATE: I recently updated this assignment and the latest version is available from my github repository: LinkedIn Profile Assignment
Original post…
As a short project in my COSC 1301 class, I have my students create their own LinkedIn profile (if they don’t already have one). Here’s the content of that lesson…
What is LinkedIn and Why Should You Care
Have you used LinkedIn before? Or even heard of it? It’s often referred to as “Facebook for Professionals”. Others describe it as a social network for people already working and who have experience.
As a college student, you may think that LinkedIn is something that you will look to join later. Later, when you have a bit more experience or at least know what you want to do when you graduate.
Read this article from Forbes explaining Why College Freshmen Need To Major In LinkedIn.
Actually, joining LinkedIn now is exactly what you should do. Learning how LinkedIn works today will help you use it in the future. It may even help you find your path to what you want to do if that is uncertain right now.
Watch this short video that explains how LinkedIn is For Students.
Connecting with your classmates, counselors, and professors throughout your college career will help you begin to build a network of contacts.
It’s that network that may likely help you find that perfect job in the future. With today’s highly competitive job market, you need to do everything you can to be recognized and remembered. Connecting via LinkedIn will help you make and maintain contacts who, in the future, may be looking for someone just like you to fill a job at their company!
Assignment: Create your own LinkedIn Profile
For this short Mini Project assignment, you will create your own LinkedIn profile. Even if you already have a LinkedIn profile, read through the rest of this next section to make sure your profile is in tip-top shape.
Again, there is no cost in signing up and creating your LinkedIn profile – it is completely free, so if you haven’t already, begin setting up your profile.
Once you have entered the basic contact information and created your profile, there are some “best practices” to keep in mind when adding to and updating your profile. The goal is to make sure that your profile represents you accurately and in the best possible light.
This video, Top Five Profile To-Do’s, provides a quick list of items to initally add to your LinkedIn profile.
Going a bit further, here’s a checklist that is worth revisiting in the future as you update the education and experience sections of your LinkedIn profile and as you begin networking with others on LinkedIn.
From these suggestions, here are the things I am looking for you to have in your profile:
- Create your profile.
- Upload an appropriate photo.
- Write an informative and personal profile headline.
- Write a summary statement.
- Add your Experience.
- Include being a student at Lone Star College in your Education section.
- Claim your own unique and personalized URL and set your profile to public.
- Start building your network by adding me as one of your contacts.
- Add your skills.
- Join a group related to your field or area of interest.
Here is the Grading Rubric for the assignment:
- LinkedIn Profile has been created. (5%)
- An appropriate profile picture has been added. (5%)
- A brief profile headline has been added. (5%)
- A summary statement has been added. (5%)
- A personalized URL has been added. (10%)
- The Experience section has been added. (10%)
- Established that you are a student at Lone Star College by adding that as part of your Education section. (10%)
- Connect request has been sent to me, Bruce Caraway. (10%)
- Joined an LI group related to your field of study or area of interest. (10%)
- Timeliness: Completed by due date. The Connection Request you send to me (from within LI) is proof of your completion of this assignment. (10%).
- Readable: All wording and descriptions use proper grammar, correct spelling, and appropriate terms. (20%)
This will make up 10% of your Semester Project grade.
